Singson pulls ahead, braces for thrilling finish

GEN. TRIAS, Cavite — In a battle for control that resembled a game of musical chairs, Mafy Singson emerged on top despite carding a wind-blown 74 in the second round of the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Championship at the Faldo course here on Tuesday.

However, lurking just a few strokes behind are a pair of battle-hardened campaigners in Chihiro Ikeda and Marvi Monsalve, setting the stage for a frantic and unpredictable finish in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) event.

Starting the day four shots behind Gretchen Villacencio in joint fourth, Singson played steady through 12 holes, mixing one birdie and one bogey, before yielding shots on Nos. 13 and 15 as the swirling wind once again took control of the round.

With the leaderboard constantly shifting in every gust, Singson managed to wrest the lead anew after Villacencio and Kayla Nocum stumbled late in their rounds.

Singson’s 10-over 154 aggregate put her a shot ahead of Ikeda and two clear of Monsalve, moving her closer to a second LPGT victory after bagging her maiden crown at Valley Golf Club last year.

“The course is so difficult and unpredictable. After shooting an 80 in the first round, I thought I played really bad. But when I checked the scores, I realized it wasn’t just me,” Singson said.

“Of course, you want to play well, but given the tough conditions, I just had to accept that even if I hit a good shot, I won’t always get the reward.”

Determined to make the most of her position, the Davaoeña vowed to stay patient and avoid aggressive plays that could cost her the lead.

“If you attack, you won’t hit the greens,” she noted.

“My goal tomorrow (Wednesday) is just to hit as many fairways and try to miss only around the green.”

But with the pack hot on her heels, Singson knows she has little margin for error heading into the final 18 holes.

Ikeda, who also stumbled with an opening-round 80, quietly moved into contention after a gritty second-round 75. Despite missing an opportunity to tie or even snatch the lead after a three-putt bogey on No. 10, the former LPGT Order of Merit winner came through with clutch birdies on Nos. 2 and 16 to secure solo second at 155.

“I miscalculated my putt on No. 10. I went too aggressive and it went past the hole, resulting in a three-putt,” Ikeda said.

“But my irons clicked today, and my putting was much better.”

Asked about her game plan for the final round, the Fil-Japanese veteran said she would play more conservatively to avoid costly mistakes.

“The course is very difficult, so my approach is to stay steady and take advantage of opportunities,” said Ikeda, out to snap a two-year title spell, in Filipino.

Also back in the hunt is Monsalve, who staged a remarkable turnaround after an error-filled opening-round 82.

Banking on improved putting, she fired a 74 to climb to solo third at 156, just two strokes off the lead.

“In the first round, I had six three-putts and missed a couple of short ones after good chip shots, which led to 38 putts,” Monsalve said.